Train Strikes Private Bus In Colorado Springs

Three people were able to get out of a private bus Tuesday that police say was high centered on a set of tracks, meaning some tires weren't touching the ground. A train was heading straight for it.

Colorado Springs police say the accident happened just after midnight at Las Vegas and Royer streets south of downtown Colorado Springs.

City Traffic Engineer Dave Krauth says the city is now looking at ways to make the railroad crossing safer.

"we are looking at it. Are additional restrictions needed? But, we also need to rule out that the vehicle was an appropriate vehicle," said Dave Krauth.

According to police, the driver tried to get the bus to break free but was unsuccessful. "They had I think about three minutes to try to get off the track," said Sgt. Mary Rosenoff of the Colorado Springs Police Department. " The wheels didn't have any traction, so they got off the bus."

The bus caught fire once the train made impact with it. When emergency crews arrived they quickly realized nobody was on the bus during the crash. Fire crews put out the fire quickly. It took more than four hours for the scene to be cleared.

The train involved had some damage as well. " It wasn't derailed," said Rosenoff. " It had very slight damage to the front engine. After a while it continued on its way."

No one was injured. The accident is still under investigation.

The bus, said to have been in the middle of a cross-country tour, came from California.

Krauth says some of the options to make the railroad crossing safer include improving the intersection, moving the cross further down the road or closing the railroad crossing all together.

"We would love to fix it, but it comes at a cost," said Krauth.

Krauth says it would cost $1.5 million to improve the intersection. Crews would actually raise Las Vegas to make it level with the railroad tracks.

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